1911 Colt 1913 production ammo question

Firepower! · October 22, 2009, 03:42 PM

Hello
I have a friend who is buying an old Colt 1911 a '13 production. He wants to know what .45 ammo is safe to use in it? How tough were they built? Can we use 45+, HPs or just regular factory loaded ball ammo, and what the NATO surplus from US Army.

RickB · October 22, 2009, 03:50 PM

Those guns were soft, compared to modern versions. I would shoot it very little, and certainly with no ammo that is more powerful than standard hardball. I have a '18 Colt, shoot only downloaded ammo, and then, only rarely.

bluetopper · October 22, 2009, 03:53 PM

I'm sure it will probably handle any 45 ammo made.......but why?

A 1911 made in 1913

........I might shoot some light target cast lead reloads on occasion just for kicks out of it but if it was me, it would be my show piece.

madmag · October 22, 2009, 04:43 PM

I go with all the above. It will handle the new ammo, but I would have it more of a display gun than shooting. Or as suggested just shoot target stuff.

October 22, 2009, 03:42 PM	#1
Firepower! Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2008 Posts: 2,109	1911 Colt 1913 production ammo question Hello I have a friend who is buying an old Colt 1911 a '13 production. He wants to know what .45 ammo is safe to use in it? How tough were they built? Can we use 45+, HPs or just regular factory loaded ball ammo, and what the NATO surplus from US Army.

October 22, 2009, 03:53 PM	#3
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,197	I'm sure it will probably handle any 45 ammo made.......but why? A 1911 made in 1913........I might shoot some light target cast lead reloads on occasion just for kicks out of it but if it was me, it would be my show piece.

October 22, 2009, 03:50 PM	#2
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	Those guns were soft, compared to modern versions. I would shoot it very little, and certainly with no ammo that is more powerful than standard hardball. I have a '18 Colt, shoot only downloaded ammo, and then, only rarely.

October 22, 2009, 04:43 PM	#4
madmag Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2007 Location: The South Posts: 4,239	I go with all the above. It will handle the new ammo, but I would have it more of a display gun than shooting. Or as suggested just shoot target stuff.